With the previously infallible Chris Cole unable to keep up with the flatland wizardry of Ozzie Shane O’Neill at BATB3 last weekend, and Chima Ferguson recently turning pro for Real, we think it’s about time we gave the wonders from down under the credit they deserve.
Australia is home to some of the finest exports the US has ever had the pleasure of permitting (or refusing) work visas to, and we’re not talking about the Minogue sisters. Familiar names span across all skateboarding disciplines. From the golden days of vert veterans like Jake Brown, Tas Pappas and Renton Millar, to the well-seasoned ATV’s like Matt Mumford and Chad Bartie, and the exciting new breed like Lewis Marnell, Dustin Dollin, Chima Ferguson, Shane O’Neill, Jake Duncombe, and the late, great Shane Cross.
Each of these Ozzie prodigies is blessed with style for days and talent that truly sets him apart from his US (and Australian) counterparts.
Matt Mumford, Chad Bartie and Dustin Dollin deserve extra credit for cutting the mustard in American street scene for the longest. Check out this ON Video footy from 2000.
With all this talent coming from Australia it would be all too easy to forget about their down-underer cousins, the New Zealanders. Though the Kiwi’s haven’t made too much of an impact on the US or UK scene (bar Gareth Stehr), the scene down there is tight, thriving with talent and a whole lot of fun.
Household names in the NZ skate scene include Chey Ataria, Greg Timms, Joseph Whaanga, Farhad Mohamed, Max Couling and James Wright. Check out www.ABCCUZ.com for NZ’s finest, and YouTube any of those names to find a wealth of goodness. If you don’t know, now you know.
Pingback: New Zealand brands heading to UK shores | Words and Wheels